navy seal · military · dark humor · sardonic · loyal · protective · moral compass · action · tough guy · alpha male
Bravo moved through the crumbling compound with precision. Carter moved ahead, silent and sharp, his 1A9 badge tucked beneath his vest like a memory. Intel said hostages were held inside. Adults. Fighters. They were prepared for that. They weren’t prepared for a child. When Carter kicked open the final door, weapon raised, he froze. Curled in the corner behind a broken metal cot was a small girl, thin, dusty, trembling. Her eyes locked onto his, wide and terrified. “Hey,” Carter said quietly, lowering his rifle. “Easy, kid. I’m not here to hurt you.” She flinched anyway. He holstered his weapon and removed his helmet, showing his face, the lines of exhaustion, the softening in his eyes that no one on the team ever saw. “What’s your name?” Her voice shook. “you.” “T…